Power metering transducer system

ABSTRACT

Devices, methods, systems, and computer-readable media for power metering are described herein. One or more embodiments include a power metering device, comprising a number of sensors configured to output pulses corresponding to a quantity of power consumed over a period of time, a first module configured to receive the pulses from the number of sensors, and meter power consumption using the output pulses. In addition the power metering device includes a second module configured to communicate with the number of sensors using a plurality of communication protocols.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.15/369,339 filed Dec. 5, 2016, which claims priority to PCT ApplicationNo. PCT/CN2014/079247, filed Jun. 5, 2014, which is incorporated hereinby reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to methods, devices, system, andcomputer-readable media for power metering.

BACKGROUND

Power metering systems can be utilized to determine a power consumptionof a number of power consuming devices. For example, power meteringsystems can be utilized to determine power consumption of a building(e.g., office building, house, etc.) and/or power consuming devices ofthe building.

Power metering systems can utilize transducers to convert a signal thatis one form to a signal in a different form. For example, transducerscan be used in sensor devices to convert received electrical pulses to aquantity of power utilized and/or consumed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an example of a system for power metering according to one ormore embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is an example of a system for power metering according to one ormore embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is an example of a diagram of a device for power meteringaccording to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is an example of a diagram of a device for power meteringaccording to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Devices, methods, systems, and computer-readable media for powermetering are described herein. For example, one or more embodimentsinclude a power metering device, comprising a number of sensorsconfigured to output pulses corresponding to a quantity of powerconsumed over a period of time, a first module configured to receive thepulses from the number of sensors, and meter power consumption using theoutput pulses. In addition the power metering device includes a secondmodule configured to communicate with the number of sensors using aplurality of communication protocols.

The power metering systems described herein can include a multi-devicesystem that includes at least two physical devices that are detachable.The first device can have a relatively limited functionality as comparedto the second device. For example, in some embodiments, the first devicecan be limited to metering power consumption. That is, the first devicemay not be capable of providing communication protocols, determiningdiagnostics of the system, among other functions.

The second device can couple to the first device and utilize a powersupply that is connected to the first device. The second device can havea relatively high functionality compared to the first device. Forexample, the second device can include a plurality of communicationprotocols that can be utilized to perform a plurality of functions.

Utilizing a multi-device power metering system as described herein canhave many advantages. For example, the first device can be installed aspermanent or semi-permanent device to perform a basic metering of power.Additionally, a number of users can be provided with the second deviceto add the additional functionality provided by the second device whenthe additional functionality is desired. In this example, anorganization (e.g., electric company, etc.) can install relatively basicdevices (e.g., first device) at a lower cost than installing moreadvanced devices (e.g., second device) at all locations. That is, anumber of first devices can be installed at all or some of the locationsthat an organization needs power metering and a number of second devicescan be produced and assigned to technicians. The number of seconddevices can be a smaller quantity than the number of first devices tosave costs.

In the following detailed description, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings that form a part hereof. The drawings show by wayof illustration how one or more embodiments of the disclosure may bepracticed.

These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those ofordinary skill in the art to practice one or more embodiments of thisdisclosure. It is to be understood that other embodiments may beutilized and that process changes may be made without departing from thescope of the present disclosure.

As will be appreciated, elements shown in the various embodiments hereincan be added, exchanged, combined, and/or eliminated so as to provide anumber of additional embodiments of the present disclosure. Theproportion and the relative scale of the elements provided in thefigures are intended to illustrate the embodiments of the presentdisclosure, and should not be taken in a limiting sense.

The figures herein follow a numbering convention in which the firstdigit or digits correspond to the drawing figure number and theremaining digits identify an element or component in the drawing.Similar elements or components between different figures may beidentified by the use of similar digits.

As used herein, “a” or “a number of” something can refer to one or moresuch things. For example, “a number of sensors” can refer to one or moresensors. Additionally, the designator “N”, as used herein, particularlywith respect to reference numerals in the drawings, indicates that anumber of the particular feature so designated can be included with anumber of embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is an example of a system 100 for power metering according to oneor more embodiments of the present disclosure. The system 100 caninclude a power supply 106 coupled to a device 102, and a device 104coupled to device 102. The device 102 and the device 104 can beindividual physical devices that can be coupled together via a latch 116to connect a number of contacts of the device 102 and the device 104.The number of contacts can enable communication between the device 102and the device 104. In addition, the number of contacts can enable powerfrom the power supply 106 to be transferred to power the device 104.

In some embodiments, the devices 102 and 104 can include a number ofmodules (e.g., software modules, etc.) that can be executed by aprocessor to perform a number of functions. For example, the device 102can include modules to meter (e.g., determine) power consumption (e.g.,quantity of electrical energy consumed, etc.) using received pulseoutputs from a number of sensors 108-1, 108-2, . . . , 108-N. Sensors108-1, 108-2, . . . , 108-N can be coupled to device 102, as shown inFIG. 1, and/or be considered a part of device 102. The received pulseoutputs can correspond to a quantity of power (e.g., electrical energy)that is utilized and/or consumed by a number of power consuming devicesover a period of time. In some embodiments, the quantity of power thatis utilized and/or consumed can be measured in kilowatt-hours.

The number of sensors 108-1, 108-2, . . . , 108-N can include a varietyof different types of sensors that can sense the quantity of powerconsumed by the power consuming devices. For example, the number ofsensors can include split-core sensors and/or solid-core sensors. Inaddition the number of sensors can be a variety of different sizesand/or have different detection ranges. In some embodiments, the device102 can include a number of terminals that couple the device 102 to thenumber of sensors 108-1, 108-2, . . . , 108-N. In some embodiments, thenumber of terminals of the device 102 can correspond to a particularsensor size and/or sensor type.

In some embodiments, device 102 can use a KYZ interface to meter anumber of sensor pulse outputs. In a KYZ interface, the Y and Z wiresare switch contacts, shorted to K for a measured amount of energy. Inaddition, when one contact closes the other contact opens to providecount accuracy security. Each contact change of state is considered onepulse. The frequency of pulses indicates the power demand. The number ofpulses indicates energy metered (e.g., power consumption, etc.).

In some embodiments, the device 102 can have a relatively limitedfunctionality as compared to device 104. For example, the device 102 canbe limited to metering power consumption for a particular area (e.g.,building, house, area within a building, etc.). That is, in someembodiments, the device 102 can be a relatively simple meter (e.g.,kilowatt meter, etc.) that is not able to perform relatively advancedfunctions including, but not limited to: display settings, displaydiagnostics, display information relating to the system 100, receivesetting changes, receive setup information, receive protocols, and sendprotocols, among other functions.

The device 102 can include a mount 114, as shown in FIG. 1. The mount114 can include a mounting device such as a Deutsches Institut fürNormung (DIN) rail mount. A DIN rail mount can be a mount comprising ametal rail of a type used for mounting circuit breakers and industrialcontrol equipment inside equipment racks. The DIN rail mount can be madefrom cold rolled carbon steel sheet with a zinc-plated and chromatedbright surface finish. In addition, or alternatively, the mount 114 canbe a free hanging mount. Furthermore, the mount 114 can be a panel mountto mount the device 102 into a cut out of a panel, box, or frame.

The mount 114 can be a permanent or semi-permanent mount to attach thedevice 102 to a rail, panel, box, frame, or other device, depending onthe application. For example, the mount 114 can be attached to a rail ofa server and/or data center via a DIN rail mount.

As described herein, the device 104 can be detachable from the device102. A user (e.g., technician, repairman, system administrator, etc.)can utilize the device 104 to attach to device 102 and utilizeadditional functionality to the system 100 in embodiments where thedevice 104 is detachable from the device 102. For example, the device102 can be a permanent or semi-permanent device that meters power in thesystem 100, and a user can attach the device 104 when additionalfunctionality is desired for the system 100. Thus, the additionalfunctionality can be reserved for users that have the device 104 and/orusers that have permission to utilize the additional functionalityprovided by the device 104. It can be advantageous to limit permanentfunctionality within the system 100.

In addition, it can be advantageous to add additional functionality to asystem (e.g., system 100) that is currently utilizing the device 102 incombination with sensors 108-1, 108-2, . . . , 108-N. For example, asystem can utilize a device 102 to meter the power consumption, and auser can attach a device 104 to change settings of the system byattaching the device 104 and utilize the user interface 112 and/ordisplay 110 to change the settings of the system. In addition, there canbe cost benefits of installing the device 102 at a plurality oflocations and utilizing the device 104 to increase functionality of thedevices 102 at each of the plurality of locations.

As described herein, the device 104 can include and/or add additionalfunctionality to the device 102. The additional functionality caninclude, but is not limited to: displaying (e.g., to a user) informationrelating to the system 100, setting up the settings of system 100,debugging, determining, and/or displaying to diagnostic informationrelating to the system 100 (e.g., diagnostic information relating to thesensors of system 100), browsing and/or displaying information relatingto the system 100 (e.g., information communicated from the sensors ofsystem 100), retrieving power consumption data (e.g., from a systemcoupled to device 104), providing a plurality of communicationprotocols, and/or utilizing multiple communication protocolssimultaneously to meter the power consumption. For example, the device104 can use a plurality of communication protocols including, but notlimited to: EZ7, EZ7 Ethernet, Modbus RTU, BACnet MS/TP, Modbus TCP/IP,and/or LonWorks, among other communication protocols to communicate withsensors 108-1, 108-2, . . . , 108-N. Providing the plurality ofcommunication protocols can provide additional functionality to thedevice 102 and/or system 100 by enabling a user to communicate withother devices (e.g., device 102, sensors 108-1, 108-2, . . . , 108-N,etc.) within the system 100. In some embodiments, the plurality ofcommunication protocols can be utilized by the device 104 simultaneouslyto meter the power consumption. That is, the device 104 can send and/orreceive different communication protocols within the system 100.

In some embodiments, the user interface 112 of device 104 is the onlyuser interface that comprises a number of input devices (e.g., buttons,touchscreen, etc.) to communicate with other devices (e.g., device 102,sensors 108-1, 108-2, . . . , 108-N, etc.) within the system 100. Thatis, in some embodiments, communication with system 100 is limited whenthe device 104 is not coupled to device 102. For example, a user may notbe able to change settings of the system 100 when device 104 is notcoupled to device 102.

The device 104 can increase a detection range of the number of sensors108-1, 108-2, . . . , 108-N (e.g., from approximately 25 amps toapproximately 3,200 amps) by altering a number of settings of the system100. Approximately, as used herein, indicates a value within 1-2 amps.That is, approximately 25 amps can include a range consisting of valuesbetween 23 amps and 27 amps.

As described herein, the multi-device (e.g., device 102 and device 104,including more than one physical device 102, 104, etc.) system 100enables a user to provide a first set of functionality when the device104 is not coupled to device 102 and a second set of functionality whenthe device 104 is coupled to to device 102. As described herein, thefirst set of functionality can be more limited than the second set offunctionality. The more limited functionality can be utilized to preventusers that are not permitted to change settings and/or view data for thesystem 100. In addition, or alternatively, the first set offunctionality can be previously installed for a system 100 and thesecond set of functionality can enable additional functionality in thefield by attaching the device 104. That is, additional functionality canbe utilized without having to remove device 102 and move the device 102to a different location in order to browse information and/or changesettings for the system 100.

FIG. 2 is an example of a system 200 for power metering according to oneor more embodiments of the present disclosure. The system 200 can be a“back view” or a “side view” of the system 100 as described in referenceto FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 illustrates a mount 214. As described herein in reference tomount 114 in FIG. 1, the mount 214 can be a DIN mount. The mount 214 canbe attachable and/or detachable from a rail system of a server and/ordata center to permanently or semi-permanently attach device 202 to therail system. Other mounts can be utilized to attach the device 202 to arail system or other object based on a particular application.

As described herein, it can be advantageous to have a device 202permanently or semi-permanently attached to the system 200 and enable adetachable device 204 that can add additional functionality when theadditional functionality is needed.

FIG. 3 is an example of a diagram of a device 302 (e.g., device 102 asreferenced in FIG. 1) for power metering according to one or moreembodiments of the present disclosure. The device 302 can include apower supply 306 to provide electrical energy to the processor 328(e.g., microcontroller, TP SAM3S from Linear Technology) and/or theconverter 324. The converter 324 can include an analog to digitalconverter (A/D converter). An A/D converter can be a device thatconverts a continuous physical quantity (e.g., value, etc.) such asvoltage and/or current 322 to a digital number that represents thephysical quantity's amplitude.

The A/D converter can be coupled to the processor 328. The value of thephysical quantity can be sent to the processor 328 to meter the voltageand/or current 322. The physical quantity can be sent to the processor328 (e.g., computing device) via a number of pulse outputs 320 (e.g.,the pulse outputs from sensors 108-1, 108-2, . . . , 108-N previouslydescribed in connection with FIG. 1). As described herein, the pulseoutputs 320 can be utilized to meter a power consumption for aparticular voltage and/or current 322 usage.

Device 302 includes a memory 327 and the processor 328 coupled to memory327. Memory 327 can be any type of storage medium that can be accessedby processor 328 to perform various examples of the present disclosure.For example, memory 327 can be a non-transitory computer readable mediumhaving computer readable instructions (e.g., computer programinstructions) stored thereon that are executable by processor 328 toretrieve power consumption data with one or more embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

Memory 327 can be volatile or nonvolatile memory. Memory 327 can also beremovable (e.g., portable) memory, or non-removable (e.g., internal)memory. For example, memory 327 can be random access memory (RAM) (e.g.,dynamic random access memory (DRAM) and/or phase change random accessmemory (PCRAM)), read-only memory (ROM) (e.g., electrically erasableprogrammable read-only memory (EEPROM) and/or compact-disc read-onlymemory (CD-ROM)), flash memory, a laser disc, a digital versatile disc(DVD) or other optical disk storage, and/or a magnetic medium such asmagnetic cassettes, tapes, or disks, among other types of memory.

Further, although memory 327 is illustrated as being located in device302, embodiments of the present disclosure are not so limited. Forexample, memory 327 can also be located internal to another computingresource (e.g., enabling computer readable instructions to be downloadedover the Internet or another wired or wireless connection).

Device 302 can also include a user interface 310. User interface 310 caninclude, for example, a display (e.g., a screen). The display can be,for instance, a touch-screen (e.g., the display can include touch-screencapabilities). User interface 310 can provide (e.g., display and/orpresent) information to a user of device 302. For example, userinterface 310 can provide displays previously described meteringinformation in connection with FIGS. 1 and 2 to the user.

Additionally, device 302 can receive information from the user ofcomputing device 302 through an interaction with the user via userinterface 310. For example, device 302 can receive input from the uservia user interface 310. The user can enter the input into device 302 bytouching the display of user interface 310 in embodiments in which thedisplay includes touch-screen capabilities (e.g., embodiments in whichthe display is a touch screen). In some embodiments, the powerconsumption of the voltage and/or current usage can be displayed to auser via the user interface 310 (e.g., LED display, etc.) of device 302.

The device can also include a connector 326 that can be utilized tocouple device 302 to a different device (e.g., device 404 as describedin connection with FIG. 4, etc.). The connector 326 can be utilized totransfer information between device 302 and the device that is coupledto device 302 via connector 326. For example, the connector 326 can beutilized to transfer metering information that is determined by device302 to a second device (e.g., device 404 as described in connection withFIG. 4, etc.).

FIG. 4 is an example of a diagram of a device 404 (e.g., device 104 asreferenced in FIG. 1) for power metering according to one or moreembodiments of the present disclosure.

The device 404 can include a connector 450 that can connect the device404 to a different device (e.g., device 102 as referenced in FIG. 1).For example, the device 404 can represent a first device (e.g., device104 as referenced in FIG. 1) that can be coupled to a second device(e.g., device 102 as referenced in FIG. 1) via the connector 450. Theconnector 450 can transfer information and/or data to and/or from adifferent device that is coupled to device 404 using the connector 450.In some embodiments, the connector 450 can transfer power (e.g.,electrical power, etc.) to power the different device. In someembodiments, the device represented by diagram 404 can add additionalfunctionality to a different device and/or system when the device iscoupled via the connector 450.

The device 404 can include a processor 448 (e.g., microcontroller, T2/T5LPC2388 from NXP Semiconductors). The processor 448 can provide thepulse output 454 as described herein to determine a power consumption.In addition, the processor 448 can determine and accommodate forreactive power by monitoring phase loss 452.

The device 404 can include other features of a computing deviceincluding, but not limited to: an RS485 input/output 458, random accessmemory 456 (e.g., SRAM, RAM, DRAM, etc.), Ethernet port 442, data flash444, display (e.g., liquid crystal display) 410, user interface 412(e.g., buttons, touchscreen, etc.), and/or super cap 446, among otherfeatures of a computing device.

A computing device for power metering according to one or moreembodiments of the present disclosure can be, for example, device 104 asreferenced in FIG. 1, a laptop computer, or a mobile device (e.g., amobile phone, a personal digital assistant, etc.), among other types ofcomputing devices. As described herein, a computing device (e.g., device404) can include memory that can be any type of storage medium that canbe accessed by processor 448 to perform various examples of the presentdisclosure. For example, memory can be a non-transitory computerreadable medium having computer readable instructions (e.g., computerprogram instructions) stored thereon that are executable by processor448 to retrieve power consumption data via a the connector 450 from adifferent device (e.g., device 102 as referenced in FIG. 1) with one ormore embodiments of the present disclosure.

The features of the device represented by diagram 404 can be utilized toprovide additional functionality to a different device that is coupledto the connector 450. For example, the user interface 412 and display410 can be utilized to change a number of settings for a system. Asdescribed herein, a user interface 412 can receive information from theuser of computing device 404 through an interaction with the user viauser interface 412. For example, device 404 can receive input from theuser via user interface 412.

As described herein, the device represented by diagram 404 can be aportable device that can brought to a permanently or semi-permanentlyattached device and add additional functionality to the permanently orsemi-permanently attached device when the device represented by device404 is coupled via the connector 450. In some embodiments, the device404 can utilize a power supply that is coupled to the permanently orsemi-permanently attached device to power the device 404 utilizing theconnector 450. For example, the device 404 may not have a connection toa power supply (e.g., connection to an outlet power supply, connectionto a battery power supply, etc.) and can utilize the connector 450 toreceive power from the permanently or semi-permanently attached devicethat includes a connection to a power supply (e.g., A/C power supply,D/C power supply, etc.).

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and describedherein, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that anyarrangement calculated to achieve the same techniques can be substitutedfor the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to coverany and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments of thedisclosure.

It is to be understood that the above description has been made in anillustrative fashion, and not a restrictive one. Combination of theabove embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically describedherein will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing theabove description.

The scope of the various embodiments of the disclosure includes anyother applications in which the above structures and methods are used.Therefore, the scope of various embodiments of the disclosure should bedetermined with reference to the appended claims, along with the fullrange of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

In the foregoing Detailed Description, various features are groupedtogether in example embodiments illustrated in the figures for thepurpose of to streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure isnot to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the embodiments ofthe disclosure require more features than are expressly recited in eachclaim.

Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter liesin less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus, thefollowing claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description,with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment.

1. (canceled)
 2. A power consumption metering system, comprising: anumber of sensors configured to output pulses corresponding to aquantity of power consumed over a period of time; a permanent orsemi-permanent mounted first module that is installed at a site andoperably coupled to the number of sensors, the permanent orsemi-permanent mounted first module is configured to: receive the outputpulses from the number of sensors; use the output pulses from the numberof sensors to determine a power consumption; and a portable secondmodule configured to be carried by a technician, the portable secondmodule includes a user interface with a display and is configured to beselectively coupled to the permanent or semi-permanent mounted firstmodule when the technician is servicing the power consumption meteringsystem and selectively decoupled from the permanent or semi-permanentmounted first module and carried away by the technician when thetechnician is done servicing the power consumption metering system, theportable second module is configured to provide additional functionalitybeyond that provided by the permanent or semi-permanent mounted firstmodule.
 3. The power consumption metering system of claim 2, wherein thepermanent or semi-permanent mounted first module is free from a display.4. The power consumption metering system of claim 2, wherein theadditional functionality provided by the portable second module includesa diagnostic functionality for diagnosing at least part of the powerconsumption metering system.
 5. The power consumption metering system ofclaim 4, wherein the diagnostic functionality includes displayingdiagnostic information related to at least part of the power consumptionmetering system.
 6. The power consumption metering system of claim 2,wherein the additional functionality provided by the portable secondmodule includes a settings functionality for displaying and changingsettings of at least part of the power consumption metering system. 7.The power consumption metering system of claim 2, wherein the additionalfunctionality provided by the portable second module includes acommunication functionality for providing communication capabilitiesbeyond that provided by the permanent or semi-permanent mounted firstmodule.
 8. The power consumption metering system of claim 2, wherein theadditional functionality provided by the portable second module includesincreasing a detection range of the number of sensors.
 9. The powerconsumption metering system of claim 2, wherein the permanent orsemi-permanent mounted first module includes a housing and the portablesecond module includes a housing, wherein the housing of the portablesecond module and the housing of the permanent or semi-permanent mountedfirst module are configured to releasably connect.
 10. The powerconsumption metering system of claim 2, wherein the permanent orsemi-permanent mounted first module includes a housing configured to bemounted to a DIN rail, and the portable second module includes a housingthat is configured to be connected to the housing of the permanent orsemi-permanent mounted first module.
 11. The power consumption meteringsystem of claim 2, wherein the portable second module receives operatingpower from the permanent or semi-permanent mounted first module.
 12. Apower consumption metering system, comprising: a wall mountable firstmodule having a housing, the wall mountable first module is operablycouplable to a number of sensors that are configured to output pulsescorresponding to a quantity of power consumed over a period of time, thewall mountable first module is configured to: receive the output pulsesfrom the number of sensors; use the output pulses from the number ofsensors to determine a power consumption; a portable second module thatincludes a housing that houses a user interface with a display, theportable second module is configured to provide additional functionalitybeyond that provided by the wall mountable first module; wherein thehousing of the wall mountable first module is configured to be mountedto a wall; and the housing of the portable second module is configuredto be releasably connected to the housing of the wall mountable firstmodule.
 13. The power consumption metering system of claim 12, whereinthe wall mountable first module is free from a display.
 14. The powerconsumption metering system of claim 12, wherein the additionalfunctionality provided by the portable second module includes adiagnostic functionality for diagnosing at least part of the powerconsumption metering system.
 15. The power consumption metering systemof claim 14, wherein the diagnostic functionality includes displayingdiagnostic information related to at least part of the power consumptionmetering system.
 16. The power consumption metering system of claim 12,wherein the additional functionality provided by the portable secondmodule includes a settings functionality for displaying and changingsettings of at least part of the power consumption metering system. 17.The power consumption metering system of claim 12, wherein theadditional functionality provided by the portable second module includesa communication functionality for providing a communication capabilitybeyond that provided by the wall mountable first module.
 18. The powerconsumption metering system of claim 12, wherein the housing of the wallmountable first module is configured to be mounted to a DIN rail.
 19. Amethod for servicing one or more power consumption metering systems, themethod comprising: approaching a first permanent or semi-permanentmounted first module that is operably coupled to a number of power metersensors; coupling a portable second module to a first permanent orsemi-permanent mounted first module that is operably coupled to a numberof power meter sensors, the portable second module includes a userinterface with a display and provides additional functionality beyondthat provided by the first permanent or semi-permanent mounted firstmodule; interacting with the user interface of the portable secondmodule to perform one or more service functions; decoupling the portablesecond module from the first permanent or semi-permanent mounted firstmodule; coupling the portable second module to a second permanent orsemi-permanent mounted first module; interacting with the user interfaceof the portable second module to perform one or more service functions;and decoupling the portable second module from the second permanent orsemi-permanent mounted first module.
 20. The method of claim 19, whereinthe portable second module is mechanically coupled to the first andsecond permanent or semi-permanent mounted first modules.
 21. The methodof claim 19, wherein the additional functionality provided by theportable second module includes one or more of a diagnosticfunctionality, a settings functionality and a communicationfunctionality.